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THE LGBTQ STORIES WORTH KNOWING
Celebrating Black History Month: A Skyrocketing Increase of Black LGBTQ Elected Leaders
Representation of Black out LGBTQ people in elected positions has increased significantly over the last five years, creating record breaking numbers. LGBTQ Victory Institute’s newly published report, “Powering Equality”, examines these trends and exciting increases in representation. [[link removed]]
While the number of LGBTQ elected officials has increased by 108 percent since 2018, Victory Institute found that the number of Black-elected LGBTQ officials has grown by 317 percent!
Black queer and trans women stood out, increasing their representation by 256 percent compared to 89 percent overall for all LGBTQ women. [[link removed]]
These statistics provide hope for Black LGBTQ people running for office during a time where LGBTQ rights – and Black History [[link removed]] - are under attack.
Read the full Powering Equality report here. [[link removed]]
Spearheading the Fight for Gender-Affirming Care Across the Midwest
Across the U.S., we’ve seen a sharp increase in the rise of anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans bills during the 2023 legislative session [[link removed]] . LGBTQ elected officials have been quick to respond, introducing compressive legislation that protects the lives of queer and trans youth.
Minnesota state Representative Leigh Finke has been a key contender in this fight, as she attempts to shift the healthcare landscape in the Midwest with the introduction of HF146 [[link removed]] , which seeks to prevent out-of-state laws from interfering with gender-affirming health care offered in Minnesota.
In a recent interview with The Hill , state Representative Finke said, “This became the first priority for me as a legislator to say, you know, there are many things I would like to do for my community, but there is an urgency right now across the country in protecting access to health care.” [[link removed]]
Not far across state lines, Illinois state Senator Mike Simmons is building on this momentum by establishing the Gender-Affirming Health Care Protection Act [[link removed]] . Similarly, this bill would protect doctors and individuals seeking gender-affirming care in Illinois from being charged or subpoenaed based on the laws of another state. [[link removed]]
State Senator Simmons told The Hill , “It seemed to be the right thing to do to move to introduce legislation that would essentially make Illinois a sanctuary state for trans rights; for trans youth that need gender-affirming care, for the parents of trans youth that want to ensure that their youth have access to health care.” [[link removed]]
LGBTQ Victory Institute letter with 375+ Signatories Urges Senate to Confirm Gigi Sohn for FCC
LGBTQ Victory Institute submitted a letter this month with more than 375 signatures urging U.S. Senate leadership to confirm Gigi Sohn’s nomination for Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission. [[link removed]]
Despite Sohn’s ample qualifications – and the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to nominate her for a third time – Sohn’s confirmation has been delayed due to organized attacks by industry lobbyists, anti-LGBTQ media organizations and extremists on the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Sohn, whose appointment has been languishing since October 2021, would be the first LGBTQ person ever to serve in that role. Read Victory Institute's letter here. [[link removed]]
Minnesota State Representative Zack Stephenson Comes Out as Bisexual: Representation Matters
Minnesota state Representative Zach Stephenson came out as bisexual in a powerful op-ed in The Advocate . [[link removed]] He vulnerably shares a complicated and evolving relationship with sexuality, rooted in suppression because of his presentation as a traditional family man.
At the end of the piece, state Representative Stephenson returns to the importance of representation and writes [[link removed]] , “Perhaps by coming out, I can make it different for someone else.”
California Will Try to Enshrine Marriage Equality
California state Senator Scott Wiener and Assembly Member Evan Low , members of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, introduced legislation to rescind Proposition 8. [[link removed]]
This voter-approved initiative 15 years ago banned the state from recognizing same-sex marriages. [[link removed]] Although the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California in 2013, the constitutional amendment is still on the books.
Gov. Gavin Newson publicly supports the bill, stating, “It’s time that our laws affirm marriage equality regardless of who you are or who you love.”
Building Political LGBTQ Participation in Mexico
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At the end of January, the Global team traveled to Mérida, before heading to Guadalajara in February, to conduct their second and third LGBTQ leadership summits in Mexico.
There was a diverse group of 35 attendees at both [[link removed]] trainings, representing more than five political parties within the country.
These are the first series of LGBTQ leadership summit trainings in Mexico, but Victory Institute's work continues in the country with the upcoming LGBTI Political Leaders in the Americas Conference in Mexico City! [[link removed]]
The First Candidate & Campaign Training of the Year in Plano, TX
LGBTQ Victory Institute & Equality Texas hosted 24 trainees for the 2023 Dallas area Candidate & Campaign Training at the Toyota Motor North America Inc. headquarters in Plano, Texas. Throughout the weekend, trainees learned the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign simulations and working with peers to develop a plan to run for office and win [[link removed]] .
One attendee shared, “This has been the best training I’ve ever attended,” and another sharing that the training was “transformational for [my] life.”
These candidates and staff are now ready to run – and we’re proud to give them the resources and tools they need to win! Click here to read more about the training in this blog post. [[link removed]]
Spotlight Updates on Presidential and State Appointments
We congratulate and celebrate the confirmation of three trailblazing LGBTQ federal court judges:
Gina Méndez-Miró in Puerto Rico became the first out LGBTQ federal district court judge in Puerto Rico and President Biden's 100th confirmed judge. [[link removed]]
Ana Reyes in the District of Columbia became the first Hispanic woman and out LGBTQ person to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. [[link removed]]
Daniel Calabretta in California became the first LGBTQ person to serve the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. [[link removed]]
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The 2023 David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship [[link removed]] application is live! Designed for senior-level executives working with state and local governments — including government officials and elected officeholders — this intensive, three-week Executive Education program at the Harvard Kennedy School hones skills and furthers the leadership potential of accomplished individuals from across the United States. Apply today for an opportunity to embark on a three-week program at the Harvard Kennedy School and join an alumni community of over 150 LGBTQ public servants. [[link removed]]
Victory Congressional Fellowship (VCF); Spring 2023 & 2023-2024 applications are now open : Each year, the Victory Congressional Fellowship brings select outstanding young LGBTQ professionals to Capitol Hill for an intensive fellowship that includes a yearlong placement in the office of a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. The fellows support the Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus with critical projects and participate in a leadership development program that explores the policy-making process, including our Candidate & Campaign Training, and dive into pressing issues facing the LGBTQ community. Full-time or part-time Spring 2023 applications and full-time 2023-2024 applications are now open. Click here to apply! [[link removed]]
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Registration is now open for our biannual LGBTI Political Leaders in the Americas Conference [[link removed]] ! Join us in Mexico City to connect with out LGBTI elected officials, advocates, public servants and allies with like-minded leaders to increase LGBTQ political power. This is your chance to strategize, connect with and hear from amazing out leaders from across the Americas and the Caribbean. Expect amazing speakers, transformative workshops and more this year. Join us in Mexico City, Thursday, July 20, 2023 - Saturday, July 22, 2023! The Conference is free to all - register here! [[link removed]]
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LGBTQ Victory Institute is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 52-1835268.
Victory Institute is a global organization dedicated to elevating openly LGBTQ leaders who can further equality at all levels of government. Through our global [[link removed]] and domestic [[link removed]] trainings, professional development programs [[link removed]] and yearly conferences [[link removed]] , Victory Institute prepares hundreds of out individuals to launch an influential careers in politics, government, business and advocacy. Many of our trainees join the more than 1,000 openly LGBTQ elected and appointed officials [[link removed]] now serving around the world. You can power our work and the next Rainbow Wave with a donation today [[link removed]] !
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